I was informed that Savannah City Council has imposed a new "tax" on folks in the city. It seems that they voted to install more of the "traffic cameras" at two more of Savannah's intersections - all in the name of "safety," of course.

I say that it has nothing to do with safety whatsoever. If "safety" was our goal, we would post an officer at the intersection and revoke the licenses of "unsafe" drivers, or punitively fine those guilty of "running a red light," whatever that is this week.

For example: Do you have to exit the intersection before the light turns red, or cross the limit line?

Do you know?

Do the cameras know?

Who watches the watchers? Where does the money from these fines go? The company that installs these cameras has a vested interest in the number of fines collected. Do you doubt me? What was the problem with the ones at the Georgetown red light?

If it is about "safety," than why are they not at every red light?

Are those unsafe intersections safer now than they were before the installation of cameras? What has happened to the number of "rear end collisions" there?

Oh, that's right! The county collects money on rear-end collisions as well.

OWEN MONROE

Savannah

Attack his special needs sister, and you are toast

I am a 20-year-old college student at Georgia Southern University and originally from Tybee Island. I read your Aug. 18 article about the gangs, "20: That's how many gangs there are in Chatham County," and I was deeply appalled that those gang members beat a child with special needs.

I have a sister with Down syndrome, and if anybody harmed a hair on her head, that person would never see daylight again.

Unfortunately, she has to go to a public school because of her condition, and be where most gang members attend school. It deeply disturbs me that our school system has allowed some students to become so careless, thoughtless and undisciplined.

PATRICK LOWE

Statesboro

Editor's note: The attack described in the Aug. 18 article occurred on private property, not on public school property.

More nuclear reactors mean more targets for terrorists

I am surprised that your Aug. 17 editorial, "Going Nuclear," and Frank J. Perch, III's letter to the editor, "Fear and failure shouldn't stop us from using more nuclear energy," did not even consider a major drawback of nuclear power: terrorism.

It is no secret that nuclear plants are considered prime terrorist targets. Two new reactors at Plant Vogtle will make it even more attractive to terrorists. How will we evacuate and where will we go if, God forbid, it or Plant Hatch in Appling County is attacked?

Nuclear power will not mitigate global warming either. In his letter, Mr. Perch did not consider the greenhouse gases produced at each stage of the nuclear fuel cycle nor those from the backup generators.

A better, two-part, and non-nuclear option appeared in the paper the same week as your editorial. On Aug. 16, Mary Landers reported that Savannah is quietly becoming a hotbed for energy efficient building. Two days later, Jack Star's letter to the editor, "Put wind turbines off Tybee, solar panels on big warehouses," mentioned several ways we can have a sustainable energy future based on domestic renewable energy sources.

Increased energy efficiency is the single most cost-efficient means of meeting our future energy needs. Think of all the nuclear and fossil fuel plants we won't need to build.

Higher cost-effectiveness, lower environmental impacts and a much lower exposure to terrorism make the non-nuclear option the way to go. It boggles my mind that our political leaders in Georgia and the Southeast have yet to choose it. Their dearth of political will is disturbing.

JODY LANIER

Savannah

People should leave their sheltered world

Bravo to Roland S. Martin for his insightful Aug. 17 column, "If we live in a melting pot, then let's know what's in it."

As a fellow minority and second-class citizen (as now enshrined by the Georgia Constitution), I have great empathy and sincere appreciation for Mr. Martin's feelings. I share his profound belief that people need to leave their safe, sheltered world and venture into the unknown to learn about other people they know nothing about. This truly breaks down barriers.

A golden opportunity for local residents to explore another side of our city's magnificent melting pot will occur on Saturday, Sept. 16, in the Starland Design District as Savannah Gay Pride celebrates its seventh year.

The venue for this year's colorful celebration of diversity will showcase one of the gay community's greatest gifts to our fellow citizens: Helping lead the charge of urban renewal and historic preservation by using and sharing our innate gifts of keen insight, extraordinary vision and pioneering spirit.

Join us in celebrating true diversity, unity and pride of one another and of our city.

KEVIN CLARK

Savannah

A more intelligent way to redesign a cockroach

Poking fun at "Intelligent Design" is easy enough, but it proves nothing.

Former Savannah resident and versifier Ogden Nash tried it: "God in his wisdom/ Made the fly./ And then forgot/ To tell us why." And the late Fr. William Ralston liked to tell that a colleague once said to him, "William, when I contemplate the eye or the hand, I am sure that there must be an intelligent designer of the universe. But when I think about the gastrointestinal system, Well . . . , then I'm not so sure."

One of your contributors whose odd mission appears to consist solely of attempting to infuriate us ignorant, conservative, and superstitious rednecks, namely, Dr. Henry Kesselman, attacks the design theory by announcing his candidacy for the job of Intelligent Designer.

His campaign platform consists of a list of proposed improvements to the order of the universe (Letters, Aug. 5).

I think that the doctor's cantankerousness should disqualify him for the office, but your readers should decide that for themselves. I only want here to comment on one of his suggested improvements.

The Doctor proposes "to reduce the size of cockroaches to that of a pin-head." Without straying too far into metaphysics, let me at least point out that such a suggestion is strong evidence in favor of the ancient generative principle that an effect must be potentially present in its cause.

That aside, his proposed improvement also casts doubt on the Doctor's qualifications for the office of Intelligent Designer. That is because anybody can imagine a much more intelligent solution to the cockroach problem than his. Dr. Kesselman proposes to shrink cockroaches to the size of "pin-heads," that is, to the size of fleas, chiggers, and sandflies (or "gnats," if you are a Yankee reading this). That would make cockroaches practically invincible.

We've all stomped many a cockroach, but have you ever tried to stomp a flea, a chigger or a sandfly?

It's impossible.

The really intelligent solution to the cockroach problem would be to make them much bigger, much fatter, and with tiny little legs so they would be easy to catch. The solution would also make them delicious when fried in butter - and served, after a proper blessing, over grits.

HERBERT GUERRY

Savannah

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